travel formalities

The United States is not the only business destination to tighten its immigration rules. And unlike the US, the UK has been quick to act, with a logic that may escape some travellers. Since 25 February, travellers with dual nationality - including British nationality - have been required to present a valid...

Two rooms, two atmospheres: while the United States is working on additional constraints for travellers, and the United Kingdom is targeting dual nationals, France is preparing a smoother travel experience at airports. Passengers will be able to use their smartphone to check in and board their flight, thanks to the France Identité application. In practical terms, passengers will be able to use...

Queues for passengers from outside the Schengen area are getting longer at European airports, with waiting times regularly reaching two hours. A nightmare for travellers setting foot in the Schengen area, and one that is likely to get even worse with the summer holiday peaks. This is why ACI Europe (Airports Council International), the...

Crossing the border into the United States is likely to become an increasingly difficult ordeal for travellers, especially business travellers. The signs of closure are multiplying in the United States - sent out regularly by the Trump administration - at a time when the organisation of the forthcoming football World Cup could be an invitation to...

Could this be in response to Donald Trump's thunderous announcements, which follow one another in rapid succession? In any case, the pace of updates to the Henley Passport Index seems to be accelerating. Back in October, the authors of the report pointed to contrasting trajectories between the United States and China, with a significant loss of influence on the part of...

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government is looking for new resources to fill the gaping hole in Japan's public finances. And what better way than to tax travellers, who have the weakness of not being voters? It's a classic formula, and Japan has never...

Reading this 2025 edition of the Henley Passport Index report, business travellers will perhaps be less focused than usual on the top three - Singapore, South Korea and Japan - whose Asian hegemony is no longer surprising. Or on France's position, generally stable in fifth place. It's...

Specialist - and world leader - in the field of hybrid work, IWG has scrutinised 40 destinations to draw up its "Tracances" list for 2025, its 3rd "Work from Anywhere" ranking. Climate, Internet connectivity, availability of flexible workspaces, price of digital nomad visas and proximity to beaches: 12 criteria were...

Why keep it simple when you can keep it complicated? Just over a year ago, the European Union announced that it was abolishing the 100ml rule for liquids and authorising people to keep computers, mobile phones and other electronic devices in their bags. But just three months after this relaxation of controls...

They've been working on it for over two years. The result will soon be visible. A common tourist visa for the six member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This should be in place before the end of the year. This electronic visa will allow travellers to travel for a period of up to two months.

Has the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran led to a period of intense activity at International SOS? Béatrix Renaut - Yes, with this new wave of hostilities between Iran and Israel, we have been very busy. First of all, our customers came to us for information and answers to the questions that everyone was asking.

According to several national news agencies, Japan wants to improve the efficiency of the entry process into the country for international visitors - especially those exempt from visas.Attempts to improve the formalities for entering Japan appear to be ineffective so far. According to Japan's Ministry of Justice, an electronic system for pre-authorising entry to the country has been...

Since 1 May 2025, all foreign nationals entering Thailand by air, land or sea must complete the new digital arrival card. This form is available online via the official Thai Immigration Services link. It must be completed 72 hours before entering Thailand. Visitors are advised to...

Yet another restriction to infuriate business travellers. An increasing number of airlines in Asia are banning the use of portable batteries (power banks) on board aircraft, on the grounds that they can endanger aircraft safety. These chargers are fitted with lithium batteries that can overheat and trigger...

Three hours: that's how long it currently takes for a passenger in Europe to claim compensation from their airline. But this could change. Poland, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council until June, wants to tighten up the current rules, under the influence of the airline lobbies. The rules on compensation are...

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has become the norm for crossing the borders of many business destinations, and is becoming the norm for both business and leisure travellers. While Europe is struggling to roll out its ETIAS system, the UK authorities have already taken the plunge. From 2 April...

There were already Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. Now South Korea and Thailand are introducing electronic entry clearance for foreign visitors. In South Korea, this electronic authorisation has been in force since 24 February. It can be completed three days before arrival...

The Japanese government has just announced that it will be changing the rules governing tax-free purchases from 1 January 2026. Until now, the rules for refunding consumption tax on goods have been disarmingly simple. The tax, which amounts to 10%, is immediately deducted from purchases by foreign visitors, on presentation of their passport or identity card.

A region of more than 620 million inhabitants whose economic growth has been constant - apart from during the Covid parenthesis. Growth in 2024 was around 4.7% and, according to official institutions, should barely dip in 2025. South-East Asia is proving more than ever to be a land of...

The 2024 Henley Passport Index had crowned France - and five other countries - for the ability of its passport to open the doors of the world. The French, Italian, Spanish, German, Singaporean and Japanese passports gave access to 194 destinations around the world without a visa. Those days are gone now, with 195 destinations...